MAD WATCHED NUMBLY as each of the ten bodies was pulled away and buried deep into the snow. The tenth was Hack's. The sniper's bullet had wrecked most of his face, but Mad recognized his sturdy frame lying limply under the ridge where he'd died.
Taps Cobb and Joe Gil, another squad member, hoisted him up and carried him over to a hole a few of the squad had volunteered to dig. They carefully lowered him down and respectfully took a step back.
Cobb brushed a dusting of snow from his sandy blond hair and asked, "Does anyone want to say a few words?"
"I do," Mad said. What was left of the squad turned to face her. They looked as exhausted and terrified as Mad felt. She remembered she was now their squad leader, straightening her back. "Hack was the best damn soldier I've ever had the pleas
